Wednesday, 29 June 2016

I'm a firm believer in the common thought of a pretty face starts with a flawless base. Some people consider their base to be foundation. I like to think it starts even before then with the skin.

My skin has been a source of trouble for me since about the tenth grade. Acne is something I really struggle with! It's been a challenge to find a skin care routine that works for me.

I used to think my skin was dry because it would feel tight and it would flake off. However, after having a skin consultation I found that my skin is actually slightly on the oily side but quite dehydrated. My main problem is that my skin is very sensitive.

As far as treating my acne, I've learned that my skin responds better to salicylic acid as opposed to benzoyl peroxide. I only use one product that contains salicylic acid and I only use it twice a week.

Sunday night I like to treat my skin to a face mask and really cleanse well. Enjoy my Sunday night strip down (makeup strip down that is!)

As far as my skin care goes, these are the products I use.

Step one is to take my makeup off using the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Milk. This is a really hydrating product and does an amazing job at removing all my makeup- including waterproof mascara!

It takes very little rubbing and makes my skin feel so clean!

After massaging the Cleaning Milk into my skin, I wipe it off with a warm, wet flannel from the Body Shop.

After my makeup is off, Sunday night is face mask night! I've been really enjoying using the Garnier Pure 3 in 1 as a mask once a week.

I apply this mask only in my T-zone, leaving my cheeks bare. I let it dry on my skin for about 2 minutes before rinsing the mask off with warm water.

The final cleansing step is the Clinique Bar Soap in Extra Mild. This leaves my skin feeling super clean, but not dried out.

I rub it into my damp skin, all over my face, until it becomes a rich and creamy lather.

I then rinse my skin with warm water until all the soap has been washed away. I follow up with the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel moisturizer in generous amounts, concentrating the moisturizer under my eyes and on my cheeks. I love this gentle, yet effective skin care routine! My skin has never been so clear and healthy. I hope you enjoyed reading through my Sunday night skin care routine. Let me know what products you love for your skin!

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Madeline is a teenage girl who excels in school, is loved by everyone she knows, and has an amazingly witty sense of humour. Pretty typical right? Not so much. Madeline hasn't left her house since she was a baby thanks to a disease that goes by the name of SCID. She's a bubble child- everything white, everything sterilized, no triggers in sight. She doesn't remember the outside world and as such has no desire to experience it; she's comfortable in her bubble with her mom and her nurse, Carla. That is until Olly moves into the house next door. He's dark, mysterious, and captivating. For the first time in her life, Madeline craves more than what she has. Their love story is beautifully spontaneous and unexpected. With a twist ending that will leave you on the edge of your couch cushions, this novel is a stunning coming of age novel. With every page Maddy grows more into herself and blossoms into a gorgeous young woman.

GoodReads Reviews

1/5 stars

"So disappointing on so many levels. Cop out ending- which was predictable. Insta-love which came about after she has the ability to see and hear through walls. Generic doctors who never questions anything. There were so many things wrong with the plot on this one. The fact that it's being touted as this GIRL WITH A SICKNESS is ridiculous. The fact that anyone could EVER compare this to TFIOS is ridiculous, too. Not a fan."

2/5 stars

"Wow. This novel is severely messed up. I'm still trying to figure out if I'm pleased or if I loathed it. Yup it's that kind of book. GOSH. It's just 100% opposite to what I expected. What even haaaappened."

3/5 stars

"After some thought, I can honestly say that this book had the potential to be amazeballs, but the ending was that of a bird flying into a glass door"

4/5 stars

"3.5 stars rounded up. Because it was a cute story dammit."

4.5/5 stars

"Pretty damned close to perfect. And this one is going to make a lot of top 10 lists this year, including mine"

5/5 stars

"I loved everything, everything about this book. *hugs book closely*"

My Opinion

I personally enjoyed this book. I would agree with the mixed feelings that some people are having in regards to the ending. In my opinion it was typical and predictable- is that a reason to write off how great it was? I'm not sure yet. It was one of those books that I devoured in just a few days and while I was reading it, I loved it. However, once I finished all I wanted was more. It wasn't enough.

The beginning was beautiful. There were so many different levels to Maddy as a character and I found myself relating to her in a few different ways. Enter: Olly. The love story is where the novel fell flat in my opinion. It was far too predictable and cliché for me to fully immerse myself in the story.

The relationship between Maddy and her mother was beautiful until it wasn't.

The relationship between Maddy and Carla was beautiful until it wasn't.

The relationship between Maddy and Olly was beautiful until it wasn't.

The relationship between Maddy and herself was beautiful until it wasn't.

I think the whole novel was perfect... until it wasn't. The end was just too typical, too cliché and too unfulfilling for me to label this book as a winner. I would still, certainly, recommend it but I think there are much better YA romance novels out there.

Have you read Everything Everything? What did you think? Let me know in a comment!

Tuesday, 14 June 2016

I have a few guilty pleasures in this life... The Kardashians being one of those. Beyond being a hilarious, close knit family, their style is unreal!

I have chosen three of my favourite Kardashian looks- one from each of the sisters and have recreated them. I took inspiration from the sisters, sifted through my own wardrobe and put together an outfit inspired by each look.

KhloéI love this look on Khloe! She pulls off the badass-lumberjack-chiq look like no one else!

Somehow I don't own a single plain white shirt... go figure haha. But I thought the pale sky blue of the one I went for did the trick! I'm wearing a t-shirt from H&M, a TNA flannel from Aritzia and denim shorts from Winners. My work boots are from Mark's Work Warehouse. Instead of a headscarf, like Khloé wore, I went for sunglasses- more summery in my opinion! I finished off the look with a Khloé inspired flashy watch.

KimLeave it to Kim Kardashian to always look effortlessly flawless, even just walking down a dirty sidewalk.

I'm not much of a heels girl, so I went for some cute rhinestoned sandals instead. My black mini is from Garage as well as the belt. The tank top and denim jacket both come from Dynamite. Accessory-wise, the black tote bag is from H&M and the aviators were picked up at Sunglasses Hut. I really love this look and was surprised by how different it made me feel in comparison to the look inspired by Khloé. I completely took on the confidence of Kim and embraced her sexy style! This look is a game changer for me.

KourtneyLast, but certainly not least, is Kourtney. I think Kourt is always so glamorous and stunning! I wanted to choose a look of hers that I would consider her 'signature' street style. Simple, feminine, and sexy.

I loved Kourtney's pairing of a light crop top and darker wash, high rise jeans. My crop top is from H&M and the jeans come from American Eagle. Unfortunately I couldn't find a photo with the shoes Kourtney wore with this outfit. However, I've noticed her rocking white shoes a lot so I threw on my white Keds. I really love this look- I felt feminine, dainty, and pretty!

I hope you enjoyed this get the look post! Let me know whose style I should steal next!

"Just create something... new, and there it is, and it's you, out in the world outside of you... and you know a little more about you. A little bit more than anyone else does." Welcome to my creation- my corner of the internet. I'm Katelyn and here you will find anything from beauty to fashion to food to life. This is my creation for the world... Please enjoy. xo.